Driving the Volvo S60;Driving the Volvo S60

"My mandate was to design a car that will appeal to younger people, those who wouldn’t normally consider a Volvo. In short, design a Volvo sedan that is inspired by a sports car and drives like one."

Those were the words of Peter Horbury, Volvo’s Chief of Design. Well, Mr. Horbury, I have to say that you have successfully met your mandate. In spectacular fashion, I might add, judging from the number of heads this car has caused to swivel its way.

I have always applauded the overt sportiness of the cars from BMW, even dating back to the 70s. The latest Mercedes-Benzes and Audis, however, have taken a page from the Bavarian school of sports sedan design and have become convincing renditions of sports cars with four doors.

Thankfully, Volvo has positioned itself right in the thick of the image-conscious sports sedan wars with a formidable array of high-powered turbo engines, enthusiast-oriented driving dynamics and finally, drop-dead gorgeous styling.

The transformation from staid sedan to sexy Swede began with the current range-topper, the S80. The entry-level S40 followed suit and, now, we have the newest addition to Volvo’s passenger car lineup, the mid-range S60.

Gone are the boxy shapes, straight lines and sharp angles of previous Volvos. In their place is a truly sensuous roofline, a steeply raked windshield and rear backlight, a masculine hoodline and bulge that connotes power, and — in what is becoming a Volvo styling signature — a prominent "shoulder" that’s very apparent when viewed from the front or rear of the car. Overall, the look is one of restrained speed, like a racehorse itching to be released from the gate.

Thankfully, the folks from Sweden fitted our test car, the S60, with a robust 2.0-liter 5-cylinder 20-valve turbocharged engine that develops 180 bhp at 5300 rpm and 240 N-m at 2200 rpm. Two liters might seem small for a car as substantial as the S60 but in normal city driving — and thanks to the turbo — it’s enough to send the sedan scurrying to 100 kph in a reasonably quick 9.5 seconds. Keep the hammer down and the S60 will take you to 210 kph. (For those who crave more speed — and have a few extra hundred grand to spare — there is an ultra-potent S60 T5 variant that pumps out a rousing 250 hp and 330 Nm of torque for true sports car-like numbers: 0-100 kph in 6.8 seconds and a 250 kph top speed.)

The S60’s motor comes with a standard smooth-shifting 5-speed automatic transmission. Powerful (and easy-to-modulate) braking performance comes from 4-wheel-discs, ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).

The MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear suspension teamed up with high-performance 205/55R-16 tires to provide a supple ride and, at the same time, reasonably sporty handling.

Like any high-end luxury car, the S60 boasts of a lengthy list of features and amenities: power-everything (including driver’s seat), leather-everything, electrically foldable rear headrests, an in-dash CD with a 10-disc CD changer and 8 speakers, B-pillar aircon vents, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, a built-in hands-free mobile phone that really works, the de rigeur wood trim, to name a few.

Safety, of course, is almost a Volvo trademark. Here’s a rundown on some of the S60’s key safety systems: Volvo’s patented Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) which includes side airbags, inflatable curtains (IC) to prevent head injuries in rollovers, Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) that automatically moves the head restraints forward when the car is rear-ended, dual smart front airbags, pyrotechnic pre-tensioners for all seatbelts, auto door unlock after an accident to aid in rescue, among many others.

So, is the S60 worth its P2.275 million sticker price? The answer is an unqualified "yes". A formidable array of features and amenities, solid driving performance, high build quality and the respected Volvo name (and the inherently high automotive safety standards that come with it) all make this superb European automobile a definite "good buy".